22-05-2025
- Automotive
- Irish Daily Mirror
Notorious Irish prison island to host unique sporting event
Spike Island, the site of a notorious prison that remained in use until 2004, will this summer host a unique sporting event.
The island will play host to one of the biggest days in the Irish motorsport calendar this year when Red Bull Drift Pursuit takes over the former military base on Saturday July 5th.
The event will see 16 of the country's top drifters go head-to-head in a fierce 1v1 knockout format, with the storied prison walls as their backdrop.
It will test the accuracy, control and speed of each and every driver on the track, pushing them to their absolute max.
Drivers will be judged on two key criteria; course time and clipping points, with penalties for any infringements.
Emerging talent from the Irish drift scene will be rubbing shoulders with some of the biggest names in motorsport in Red Bull athletes, Conor Shanahan and Josh McErlean.
Both drivers will perform on the day, alongside Conor's brother Jack, delivering explosive demos that blend the rally power of Josh's M-Sport World Rally Ford Puma with the drifting precision of Conor's Toyota GT86 in a one-of-a-kind, gearbox-shredding display.
The event kicks off at 6.45pm and finishes at 8.30pm, and tickets are on sale now on the Red Bull website, priced at €45 for a standing ticket and €55 for a seated ticket.
Ferry transfers from Ringaskiddy or Cobh are included in the ticket, with ferries running throughout the day.
Cork drifter and Red Bull athlete Conor Shanahan said: 'As a proud Corkman, it is incredible to see a drift event like this take place at such an iconic location like Spike Island.
'Some of the best drifters in Ireland will be competing, and I know Jack and I are looking forward to putting on a show.'
Before the action kicks off, spectators can avail of Spike Island tours to learn more about the island's rich history as a naval base and more recently as a prison.
Drift Masters Conor and Jack Shanahan will do a Q&A alongside WRC star Josh McErlean, while the drivers' paddock will also be open to spectators keen to get a closer look at the action.
There are four Cork drivers among those set to compete at Red Bull Drift Pursuit - with Aidan Dennehy, Owen Magner, Trevor Healy and Alan Hynes.
Follow @redbullire on Instagram and TikTok or visit for more information.
